Pierre Gillet Posted May 25, 2000 Share Posted May 25, 2000 I just experienced a problem with my Renault Espace which is fitted with rear disc brakes. The efficiency of the hand brake has never been impressive, and now that it get older, it has not passed the compulsory technical control that we have every two years. I am concerned that my 1.6 K Seven will not pass the test too since the hand brake is almost not existing as on all the Seven I guess. How you guys in GB and Germany manage in your countries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Seipel Posted May 25, 2000 Share Posted May 25, 2000 i don't know about everyone elses, but my handbrake does work and the MOT test station's (MOT is the name of our road worthyness test in the UK) do check it works as well. Once you have adjusted it correctly there are two schools of thought from there on. 1) Never use it again to park with and when you have the car tested it will work still. (Not recommended) OR 2) Use it occasionaly and it won't sieze up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Johnson Posted May 26, 2000 Share Posted May 26, 2000 I never use it, but work on the find a friendly test station theory, then normally with a big hairy machanic pulling with all his might it just scrapes through. I think that many small garages want the car to pass rather than look for reasons to fail it, after all they are car enthusiasts too. I have heard of handbrakes becoming ineffective once the pads have cooled & shrunk, leaving your car free to make it's merry way down the nearest hill, so try to give the brakes plenty of time to cool off first. Maybe ask them to do the handbrake before the foot brakes? Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted May 26, 2000 Author Share Posted May 26, 2000 Thank you to both of you . Very helpful.I have to work on tuning this hand brake as I understand it should reasonably work! Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Rexia Posted May 26, 2000 Share Posted May 26, 2000 What's a handbrake? -is it the thing you hang your Chinese takeaway on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Martin Posted May 26, 2000 Share Posted May 26, 2000 Yes if you've got an early eighties HPC, - it's perfectly placed for take-aways but b****r all use for holding the car stationary ! Jules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted May 28, 2000 Share Posted May 28, 2000 Pull the handbrake on whilst applying the brakes with the footbake at the same time. Seems to wrok a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimNeill Posted May 30, 2000 Share Posted May 30, 2000 I got fed up with not being able to reach the handbrake in a full harness and bought a Demon Tweeks 'line lock' which works on the front brakes. The unit was welded to a steel plate with two mounting holes drilled. These then fit onto the windscreen mounting bolts. Stainless braided pipes run to/from the master brake cylinder. A lever moves through 90 degrees to operate th valve. You press the brake pedal, move the lever down (it is right next to my right knee) and the lift off the pedal - the front brakes stay on! I can do 'handbrake' starts on steep hills without moving anything but my right hand, and in a full harness. I wouldn't leave it on permanently but it certainly works a treat. And if you want, you can also use it to warm the rear tyres at speed events . . . if they allow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted May 30, 2000 Author Share Posted May 30, 2000 Tim, Your approach is really new to me and seems very attractive. What do you mean by :"I would not leave it on permanently.."? You mean on a parking lot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimNeill Posted May 31, 2000 Share Posted May 31, 2000 Pierre I mean I wouldn't trust the front brake hydraulic system to stay 'up' for a few days, holding the car on a hill! Anyway, with my luck, the front pads would bond themselves forever to the discs. Are you at Le Mans this year - I can show you the demon fix in the flesh? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted May 31, 2000 Author Share Posted May 31, 2000 Well Tim, I am not sure I will go to le Mans this year because of a family committment.I figure that you will be with the other Sevens. If I finally can go, you may want to give me your car number or a cell phone number. I would certainly love to see your car.Mine is a 1.6 K 40th Anniversary. Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted May 31, 2000 Author Share Posted May 31, 2000 Well Tim, I am not sure I will go to le Mans this year because of a family committment.I figure that you will be with the other Sevens. If I finally can go, you may want to give me your car number or a cell phone number. I would certainly love to see your car.Mine is a 1.6 K 40th Anniversary. Cheers, Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimNeill Posted June 1, 2000 Share Posted June 1, 2000 Pierre The car is P127 MLE, 1996 ali and carbon fibre, black magnesium Dymag wheels, F2 Cosworth engine. If you are very interested and can't make it, I could take a few digital pics and email to you. Or perhaps I should submit a mag article! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Gillet Posted June 1, 2000 Author Share Posted June 1, 2000 Tim, Some photos of the car and of the special hand brake device also would be very appreciated since I shall finally not go to Le Mans ( my wife family comes you know..). The engine must be great too! Why not submit a technical article to Low Flying and win a free application. Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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